Gitte Lindgaard is a Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of Psychology at Carleton University, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. from Monash University. Her primary research focuses on Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), particularly the intersection of aesthetics, emotion, and interactive technology design. She investigates how multimodal communication (text, visuals, sound, scent) impacts user experience and decision-making processes. Expertise includes user interface evaluation, sensory system integration, and cognitive limitations in technology use Studies the rapid judgment formation (50ms visual appeal decisions) and cross-modal effects (e.g., scent influencing judgments) Applies findings to educational technology (e.g., geography learning) and complex decision-making fields like medical diagnosis Current research explores scent's impact on cognitive performance and music's emotional influence. Her work emphasizes creating emotionally engaging interfaces beyond basic usability standards.
Joanna Berzowska is an Associate Professor in Design and Computation Arts at Concordia University, where she also served as Associate Dean (Research, 2017–2020) and Department Chair (2012–2015). She is the founder and Research Director of XS Labs, a design research studio focused on electronic textiles and reactive garments. Her work explores the intersection of material innovation, interactivity, and cultural impact. Additionally, she leads electronic textiles research at OM signal, a startup developing bio-sensing clothing integrated with iPhones. Her research interests include electronic textiles, responsive garments, wearable technology, and the sociocultural implications of material innovation. Her art and design works have been exhibited globally, including at the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum, V&A, and Ars Electronica. She is a frequent international speaker on topics such as critical materiality and the ethical dimensions of technology. Key projects include the development of soft electronic circuits, photonic textiles, and bio-sensing garments. Her work emphasizes both technological advancement and aesthetic expression, bridging art, design, and engineering. She was honored on Maclean's Honour Roll (2018) for contributions to socially impactful innovation. Her academic contributions span teaching, research leadership, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. She has supervised numerous projects in wearable tech, interactive textiles, and human-centered design methodologies. Current research focuses on optimizing biosensing garments and exploring the role of textiles in mediating human-environment interactions.
Gabriel Vigliensoni is an Assistant Professor in Creative Artificial Intelligence within the Department of Design and Computation Arts at Concordia University. He holds a PhD in Music Technology from McGill University and maintains active research and creative practice at the intersection of artificial intelligence, music, and human-computer interaction. His work spans academic research, artistic performance, and music production. PhD in Music Technology, McGill University Assistant Professor, Department of Design and Computation Arts, Concordia University Vigliensoni's research focuses on sound and music making through machine learning, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, embodied musical interaction, music information retrieval, and new interfaces for musical expression. His approach merges formal musical training with extensive experience in sound recording, music production, and computational techniques. His creative work challenges traditional notions of liveness and immediacy in digital music production through procedural composition and embodied interaction. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on interactive machine learning for creative applications, particularly in audio and music domains. The research trends show increasing emphasis on explainable AI for the arts, ethical considerations in AI music applications, and the development of interfaces that facilitate sustained artistic practice with machine learning systems. His work spans from theoretical foundations to practical implementations in musical interfaces. 2025-2027: Co-Applicant, New Frontiers in Research Fund—Exploration 2024–2025: PI, Petro-Canada Young Innovator Award (PCYIA) 2024–2025: Collaborator, Responsible AI UK international partnerships UKRI 2023–2025: PI, Explore and Create | Research Creation (Canada Council for the Arts) 2023–2025: PI, Faculty Research Development Program (Concordia University) 2022–2023: PI, Knowledge Mobilization Grant (FRQSC) 2020–2022: PI, Postdoctoral Research Creation (FRQSC) Vigliensoni supervises graduate students in Design (MDes), Individualized Programs (MA, MSc), and Individualized Programs (PhD). His research is supported by significant grants from Canadian funding agencies as well as international collaborations. His work bridges academic research with artistic practice, creating feedback loops between theoretical exploration and creative output. His studio practice and research involve developing interactive systems for musical expression, with notable projects including Clastic Music, Telematic Awakening, and Re•col•lec•tions. These projects often combine real-time audio processing, machine learning, and gestural interfaces to create novel musical experiences that explore the relationship between human performers and AI systems.
Jeffrey Boyd is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Science, serving as Director of the Computational Media Design (CMD) initiative. His research focuses on computer vision, video analysis, optical flow, and motion tracking with applications in audio-locomotion synchronization and wearable technologies. He holds a B.S. (1983) and M.S. (1986) in Electrical Engineering from the University of Calgary, followed by a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia (1994). Notable achievements include recognition for graduate supervision (2015 nominee) and innovation in interactive media (2014 Armour39 Challenge). His work bridges computational methods with creative applications, evident in publications like Emotional Musification (2018) and particle filter research (2016). Academic contributions span special topics courses on wearable applications and interdisciplinary collaborations in auditory display systems. Grants and advising activities are central to his role, though specific details are not elaborated in the provided texts. The CMD lab under his direction likely focuses on cutting-edge media design innovations, though explicit lab descriptions are absent.
Sarah Fortune is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Oceanography at Dalhousie University, holding the Canadian Wildlife Federation Chair in Large Whale Conservation. She leads the Fortune Whale Lab, focusing on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biological and physical oceanography, ecology, and physiology to address conservation challenges for large whales. Her work emphasizes understanding how environmental variability impacts whale behavior, prey availability, and ecosystem health, particularly in Arctic and temperate regions. Education: BAH from Queen’s University, MSc and PhD from the University of British Columbia, with additional research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Her research explores whale movement ecology, foraging strategies, and responses to climate change, often collaborating with Indigenous communities, government agencies, and industry partners. She has conducted fieldwork in the Canadian Arctic, Cumberland Sound, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Research Interests: Marine mammal conservation, zooplankton ecology, Arctic ecosystem changes, whale behavior and energetics, and the impacts of human activities on marine life. Her lab employs advanced technologies like multi-scale tags and satellite telemetry to study whale behavior and habitat use. Awards: Recipient of multiple prestigious fellowships including the W. Garfield Weston Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Emily Gallagher Memorial Award. Her work has been recognized for bridging ecological theory with applied conservation outcomes. Advising & Grants: While no specific student names are listed, her lab supports graduate research on whale ecology. Funding sources include the W. Garfield Weston Foundation and NSERC grants. She contributes to conservation initiatives like the COSEWIC Status Report on North Atlantic right whales. Labs/Teams: Director of the Fortune Whale Lab, collaborating with universities, government bodies, and Indigenous groups to advance whale conservation through empirical and model-based research. Current projects include assessing vessel-whale interactions in Arctic shipping lanes and quantifying prey thresholds for bowhead whales.
Andrew Hawryshkewich is a Senior Lecturer and Undergraduate Curriculum Chair at Simon Fraser University's School of Interactive Arts & Technology. His work bridges multimedia design, educational technology, and interdisciplinary approaches, emphasizing practical skills in web, print, sound, and video. He teaches courses like Graphic Design, Information Design, and Web Development, fostering environments where students learn to 'construct what they propose.' His research explores how technology enhances creative education, with a focus on tools that merge design and coding. Hawryshkewich holds a BA in Music and History from Carleton University and an MSc in Interactive Art and Technology from Simon Fraser University. His publications address educational technology and human-computer interaction, particularly in music and programming education for youth. These works reflect a commitment to accessible, hands-on learning tools.
Max Mignotte is a Full Professor at the Department of Computer Science and Operations Research , Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Université de Montréal. He leads research in Image Processing, Remote Sensing, and Bayesian Inference , focusing on applications in medical imaging, computer vision, and data fusion. His work includes developing advanced algorithms for saliency estimation, multimodal change detection, and 3D reconstruction. Research Interests: Image processing techniques for medical diagnostics, remote sensing analysis, and machine learning-driven solutions for visual attention and segmentation. His methodologies often integrate Bayesian models and fusion strategies to address complex problems in computer vision and biomedical applications. Key Projects: Leading the Multi-Dimensional Scaling Maps for Saliency Estimation initiative. Developing Bayesian fusion models for remote sensing applications. Advancing 3D biplanar reconstruction of human limbs using statistical models. Grants & Teams: Principal investigator on CRSNG-funded projects, including New unsupervised Bayesian and energy-based models (2022–2028) and Bayesian fusion models (2016–2023). Collaborates with the Laboratoire de traitement d’images and interdisciplinary teams in biomedical research.
Joseph Malloch is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie University. He leads research in human-computer interaction, digital musical instruments, and interactive media systems, and is affiliated with the GEM Lab and the Human-Computer Interaction, Visualization & Graphics research cluster. Research Interests: His work focuses on designing novel input devices such as the T-Stick, developing software frameworks like libmapper for flexible signal routing, and exploring machine learning applications in sound synthesis. He investigates how sensor-rich interfaces can enhance musical expression and audience engagement. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in smart musical instruments, runtime mapping complexity, and the use of AI for synthesizer patch generation. His research bridges computer science, music, and design, emphasizing real-time interaction, modularity, and performer control. No scientific awards were mentioned in the provided text. Joseph Malloch advises students and collaborates with performers and researchers globally. His projects often involve interdisciplinary teams and have been demonstrated internationally. He is actively involved in workshops, music hackathons, and the development of open-source tools for interactive media. He leads the GEM Lab, where research focuses on the intersection of graphics, engineering, and music. The lab develops new interfaces for performance, including wearable and wireless sensor systems, and explores creative applications of embedded computing and sensor fusion.
Halimat Alabi is a Lecturer in Educational Technology at the University of British Columbia. With an interdisciplinary background spanning acoustical engineering, multimedia production, and educational technology, her work bridges technology, design, and pedagogy. She has taught across departments including Mathematics, Game & Simulation Programming, and Web Design & Interactive Media, integrating her industry experience from PBS, FOX, CBS, Sony, and THQ. Her research focuses on how learners interpret learning analytics visualizations and the role of technology in empowering learners. Key Roles : MET Lecturer, Interactive Visualization Designer Courses Taught : ETEC 510, ETEC 512, ETEC 524, ETEC 533, ETEC 543, ETEC 565H Her research explores the intersection of learning analytics and visual cognition , examining how learners assess their academic performance through data visualization. She investigates feedback mechanisms , digital accessibility , and the societal implications of educational technologies . Halimat's recent publications highlight trends in educational data visualization , wearable technology , and interactive learning environments . Her work emphasizes user experience, data interpretation, and inclusive design. Scientific Awards : SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship She has also contributed to accessibility frameworks and multimedia marketing strategies, reflecting her broad expertise in digital media and education.
Lam An is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the University of Winnipeg , specializing in marketing communications and persuasion. He holds a Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of Central Florida and has taught courses such as Marketing Research (BUS-3271) and Multivariate Data Analysis (GBUS-7265). Education : Ph.D. (Marketing), University of Central Florida; M.M.R., Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville; B.B.A., Eastern Kentucky University Key Research Streams : Nonverbal communication in marketing, frontline employee-customer interactions, public policy communications, digital marketing, and nonprofit marketing Teaching Philosophy : Focuses on data literacy, industry engagement, and skills certification His research combines experimental design and secondary datasets to answer managerially relevant questions. Recent work explores topics like facial prominence in advertising , footstep sound effects , and emotional tone in disinformation . He has secured multiple grants, including SSHRC Insight Grant and University of Winnipeg Major Research Grants, to study disinformation, sustainability communication, and social media verification.
Esteban J. Pino is an Associate Professor at Universidad de Concepcion, Chile, actively engaged in research at the intersection of biomedical engineering and healthcare technology. His work focuses on developing innovative medical devices and signal processing techniques for clinical applications. His research interests span biomedical signal processing , unobtrusive sensing , and medical device development , with particular emphasis on respiratory monitoring, cardiac diagnostics, and pediatric health interventions. Utilizing advanced computational models and machine learning, his work bridges engineering solutions with real-world medical challenges. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in portable diagnostic systems , neural signal interpretation , and digital health frameworks for chronic disease management and early childhood development. These contributions reflect a multidisciplinary approach combining engineering, neuroscience, and clinical medicine. Dr. Pino serves as an Associate Editor for Connected Health in Frontiers in Digital Health , contributing to the peer-review and editorial process in his domain. He collaborates extensively across international research networks, as evidenced by co-authorship with researchers from diverse institutions. Though no formal advisees are listed, his editorial role and publication record suggest active mentorship and leadership in the academic community. His work is centered on practical, deployable healthcare technologies, particularly in low-resource or home-based settings, aiming to improve diagnostic accessibility and patient outcomes.
Pierre Michaud is an Associate Professor of Mixed Composition at the Faculty of Music of the University of Montreal, where he has been teaching since 2012. He serves as co-director of the Laboratory for Technology Integration in Music (LITEM) and is an active member of the Artistic Committee of the Société de musique contemporaine du Québec, the Canadian Music Centre, and the Canadian League of Composers. His professional activities are supported by major research agencies including the Quebec Research Funds (FQRSC), Canada Council for the Arts, and Quebec Arts Council. Michaud's research focuses on comprovisation, composer-performer collaboration, interdisciplinarity, interactive spaces, and new forms of musical representation. His work bridges traditional composition with electronic and digital technologies, exploring the relationship between acoustic instruments and electronic media. He has developed innovative approaches to mixed composition that incorporate algorithmic processes, interactive systems, and cross-cultural musical elements, particularly from Balinese gamelan traditions. His compositional output shows a clear trajectory toward increasingly sophisticated integration of technology with traditional musical forms, with recent works exploring non-linear narrative structures, hauntological concepts, and the relationship between Cuban popular music and electronic elements. The interdisciplinary nature of his work is reflected in collaborations across artistic disciplines and technological domains. Finalist, CBC Radio Young Composers Competition (2001) Opus Prize from Quebec Music Council for 'Le rêve de Grégoire' (2014) Michaud has supervised numerous graduate students through master's and doctoral programs, with thesis topics spanning mixed composition techniques, interactive music systems, cross-cultural musical integration, and theoretical approaches to contemporary composition. His research projects include the interdisciplinary Observatoire interdisciplinaire de création et de recherche en musique (OICRM) and initiatives focused on mixed composition pedagogy and technological sustainability in mixed music creation. He leads the Laboratory for Technology Integration in Music (LITEM), which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research and creation at the intersection of music, technology, and other artistic disciplines.
Denton Fredrickson is an Associate Professor of Sculpture and Media Art at the University of Lethbridge, where he also serves as Art Department Chair. Working from Lethbridge in Treaty 7 Territory, Alberta, he maintains an active international artistic practice that bridges traditional craft with digital technologies. His academic home is within the Fine Arts faculty's Art Department, where he has progressed from Lecturer (2004-2011) to Assistant Professor (2011-2016) to his current Associate Professor position (2016-present). His educational journey reflects his interdisciplinary approach: a multidisciplinary BFA (2001), Trade Certificate of Lutherie (traditional acoustic instrument design), BA in Philosophy/Religious Studies/Anthropology from the University of Lethbridge and University of Pune, India, MFA in Sculpture and Media Art from NSCAD (2003), and most recently a Masters in Parametric Design and Digital Fabrication from Controlmad Advanced Design Center in Madrid, Spain (2022). Fredrickson's research interests explore the intersection of folk and media art traditions through experiential and contemplative interactions with sound, objects, and constructed space. His practice investigates the seductive lure of both old and new wonders, fantastic inventions, and absurd theories, often blending traditional material processes with kinetics, electronics, and digital fabrication. He examines how speculative fiction can become embedded within everyday contexts, with additional interests in material media infrastructures, media archaeology, collage, interface and sound design, automatons, hand-drawn animation, and data physicalization. His extensive exhibition history across North America, Europe, and Asia demonstrates the international recognition of his work, with recent projects focusing on post-digital materiality and the physicalization of agricultural data. His creative output often manifests as immersive installations that challenge conventional boundaries between art, science, and everyday experience. Selected Awards: 2024 Canada Council for the Arts – Arts Abroad Grant 2022 Alberta Foundation for the Arts Visual Arts and New Media Individual Project Grant Multiple Alberta Foundation for the Arts grants (2014-2018) Canada Council production grants (2008-2012) University of Lethbridge research funding (2015) Harbourfront Centre Fresh Ground Commissioning Award (2006) Fredrickson has developed and taught numerous innovative courses at the University of Lethbridge, including Creative Electronics for Beginners, Digital Fabrication, and Data Visualization/Physicalization. His teaching philosophy emphasizes hands-on exploration at the intersection of traditional craft and digital technologies. He has secured significant research funding that supports his collaborative projects bridging art, science, and technology, including the Visualizing and Physicalizing Agriculture project with Leanne Elias and agricultural scientists. His creative practice often involves collaboration with other artists, scientists, and institutions, as evidenced by projects like The Terrarium Project, Marvels of the Ages Calling Forth Lost Spirits of Information, and his work with the Data Visualization/Physicalization Lab. These collaborations create rich interdisciplinary spaces where artistic inquiry intersects with scientific investigation and cultural critique.
Beth Coleman is an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, jointly affiliated with the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology (UTM) and the Faculty of Information. She directs the City as Platform lab and serves as Knowledge Media Design Institute (KMDI) Director. Her work bridges Science and Technology Studies, generative aesthetics, and Black poetics, focusing on smart technology, urban data governance, and civic engagement. Her research interests include artificial intelligence ethics, generative AI in society, and critical theory applied to technology. She has held senior visiting researcher roles at Google Brain and Responsible AI, and leads initiatives like the Schwartz Reisman Institute’s AI policy team. Notable contributions include the book *Hello Avatar* and the exhibition *Speculative AI: Octavia Butler and Other Possible Worlds*. Her recent work explores data colonialism, trusted data sharing frameworks, and feminist critiques of automated systems. Awards: 2021 Google Artists and Machines Intelligence Awardee Advising: Supervises Gonen Steinberg. Leads the Black Research Network Institute and Trusted Data Sharing group. Labs/Teams: City as Platform lab, Schwartz Reisman Institute, and collaborations with Microsoft Research and the European Commission.
Steve Engels is a Teaching Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Toronto. His research focuses on the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and game design. He holds a PhD in Computer Science, with a thesis on 'Design Factors for Educational Video Games.' Engels collaborates with organizations like Ubisoft La Forge on facial expression generation and works with UofT's Science Unlimited program to develop educational games for high school curricula. His projects include automatic music generation, 3D terrain generation, and augmented reality applications. He has presented at conferences such as AIIDE and the Game Developers Conference, contributing to advancements in interactive digital entertainment and educational technology. PhD in Computer Science (Thesis: Design Factors for Educational Video Games) M.Math from the University of Waterloo, supervised by Dale Schuurmans Research Interests Engels' work spans AI-driven game design, educational technology, and procedural content generation. He explores facial expression synthesis, real-time music algorithms, and accessible gaming for diverse audiences. His collaborations emphasize practical applications of machine learning in creative fields. Advising & Grants Engels mentors student research teams in game design and AI projects, though specific grants or funded initiatives are not detailed in the text. Labs & Teams Collaborates with Ubisoft La Forge, UofT's Science Unlimited, and academic conferences to advance interactive technologies and educational tools.
